Article published March 22, 2003
Christians not universally opposed to war with Iraq
As America has moved closer to war with Iraq in recent weeks, many church leaders have been vocal in their opposition, giving the impression of a united Christian front against the conflict.
But a new Gallup Poll shows that Americans who attend church at least once a week are more likely to support a war than Americans as a whole. The poll, reported by the Institute for Religion and Democracy, showed that 63 percent of Americans who attend church at least once a week support the war, compared with 59 percent of Americans overall.
Among those who attend church monthly, 57 percent back the war, while 56 percent of those who seldom attend and 55 percent of those who never attend indicate support for a war. Those who consider religion unimportant are evenly divided on the question.
Mark Tooley of the Institute for Religion and Democracy said his group decided to publicize the poll because of a widespread and inaccurate picture of universal Christian opposition to the war.
Even Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz, the IRD pointed out, claimed "the church" in America is opposed to war against his country.
Most statements of religious leaders opposing the war have come from mainline Protestant denominations, especially those associated with the National Council of Churches, and Catholic leaders, including Pope John Paul II.
Weighing in against the war have been the heads of such "peace churches" as the Quakers and Mennonites, along with the historically anti-war National Council of Churches, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the National Baptist Convention.
Other groups that have spoken out on the war include the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA), which urged government leaders to seek a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis, and the bishops of the Church of God in Christ, a black Pentecostal denomination. The COGIC bishops sent letters to President Bush asking him to "stay the hands of war and vengeance" and to Saddam Hussein, urging him to disarm and avoid war.
However, the IRD points out that mainline Protestants, who have issued most of the statements, make up fewer than a third of all American Christians and that their leaders tend to be more liberal than the members. Catholics make up a third of American Christians.
Evangelical Protestants comprise the remaining third and it is these that Gallup found to be the most supportive of war.
However, the IRD said their views are likely not reflected in the public debate because many evangelical churches are nondenominational and not a part of a structure with centralized church agencies. Their leaders also tend not to make public pronouncements on political issues.
Among evangelicals, only Southern Baptist Convention leaders have come out in support of the war. Mr. Tooley said others may be reluctant to do so because of the negative reaction the Rev. Jerry Falwell received to his remarks about Islam in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. "They don't want to create the impression that American Christians are supporting war as a crusade against Islam." Some also may not want to undermine Christians who are living in predominantly Muslim countries.
Mr. Tooley said, however, that it would not be unusual for conservative denominations to remain silent on the question of war simply because in general they do not make political statements in the way the mainline denominations do.
"[Evangelicals] are theologically conservative and are focused more on evangelism and missions rather than politics. ... The mainline churches are more influenced by the social gospel."
Regardless of what church leaders are saying about Iraq, Martin Marty, a Lutheran and church historian, said he doubts the membership is listening.
"Most members of churches do not even hear about statements from their presidents, bishops, or spokespersons unless what these people say is so against the grain that it will offend and make secular outlet news headlines."
IRD Vice President Alan Wisdom said since there is no official "Christian" position on the U.S. war against Iraq, church officials should be humble about expressing their personal political views. "They should not presume to speak for either the Lord or their members."
- JUDY TARJANYI
The Blade's wire services also contributed to this report.
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